These Teams Expect a Deeper Run Than in 2021
Taking a way-too-early look ahead to the postseason, we see a number of Florida teams that could make deep playoff runs – some of which didn’t even reach a regional final a year ago. Here are five Florida high school football playoff contenders to watch for in 2022.
Lakeland
When compiling a list of 2022 Florida high school playoff contenders, one team tends to come to mind every time – the Lakeland Dreadnaughts. One of the top teams in Class 7A a year ago, the Dreadnaughts were ousted in the regional quarterfinals; the 24-20 loss to Lake Gibson was Lakeland’s second loss to the Braves last season.
Now the Dreadnaughts enter the 2022 campaign as one of the top preseason teams in Class 4S, in part due to one of the state’s most talented rosters. It features names such as Florida’s No. 1 player in the 2023 class, Cormani McClain, plus Tyler Williams, Guerlens Milfort, Shadarian Harrison, and more.
Arguably the top preseason team in Class 4S-Region 2, the Dreadnaughts are a good bet to reach at least a regional final this season. Should they advance past that round, don’t count them out as a legit 4S state title contender.
Edgewater
Competing in the same region as Lakeland a year ago, Edgewater did advance past a regional quarterfinal last season. However, that playoff run ended in the next round, with the Eagles falling to Lake Gibson 32-14. Similar to the Dreadnaughts, Edgewater enters the 2022 season among the top teams in its classification, Class 3M, while boasting a roster headlined by one of the nation’s top running backs, Cedric Baxter Jr.
In a loaded Class 3M, the Eagles’ road through the playoffs will not be an easy one by any means. 3M-Region 1 includes such stiff competition as Jones and Tampa Bay Tech. Recent history shows, however, that one shouldn’t bet against Edgewater when it comes to a deep playoff run past a regional final – especially for what will be a motivated team seeking to avenge that early playoff exit a year ago.
American Heritage
The Patriots, competing in a stout Class 5A last season, advanced past the regional quarterfinals, but ran into eventual state champion Miami Central in the regional semifinals, where they fell to the Rockets 41-28. American Heritage has a well-stocked roster again in 2022 and should have no problem reaching a regional final, despite being in a strong 2M-Region 3.
Should the Patriots advance past a regional final, they’ll be able to match up with almost anyone in Class 2M – on paper, at least – in the state semifinals. American Heritage certainly is prominent among Florida high school playoff contenders in 2022; could they even play for a state title, and if so, could it come against someone from the loaded 2M-Region 4, such as Miami Central?
Carrollwood Day
If you were to look for a potential sleeper in Class 1M, Carrollwood Day just might be your pick. Yes, the Patriots did fall in the 2021 regional quarterfinals to Tampa Catholic, 26-25. However, this 2022 Carrollwood Day team could be one of the most talented in Class 1M, especially on offense, where the Patriots return a number of key players, such as Anthony Carrie, Zycarl Lewis, and Bredell Richardson.
Entering the season, Carrollwood Day is undoubtedly one of the top teams in 1M-Region 2, right alongside Clearwater Central Catholic. The Patriots could easily reach a regional final in 2022 after falling in the first round a year ago, with the Marauders potentially being the team awaiting them there.
Naples
The final team on this list of 2022 Florida high school playoff contenders is Naples, which you could argue is the best in Class 3S-Region 4 entering the season. The Golden Eagles were one of the top teams in Class 6A in 2021, allowing only 94 points to opponents, but their season came to a close in the regional semifinal, where they fell to Miami Northwestern 49-35. Naples returns a number of key names in 2022, led by one of the state’s top running back duos in Kendrick Raphael and Isaiah Augustave.
The Golden Eagles are a team to watch for in Class 3S – they could easily reach a regional final. Should they advance past that round, they can’t be counted out for a run all the way to a state title game appearance.
